The California towhee (Melozone crissalis) is a large sparrow found in California and the surrounding states. Like other towhees, it has a distinctive call that can be described as a sharp “tow-EE” or “toe-EEE.” In this article, we will explore the different vocalizations of the California towhee and what they communicate. We will also discuss how to identify the bird by ear and the best places to listen for its calls. With some knowledge of its vocal behavior, anyone can learn to recognize the unique sounds of this California specialty bird.
The Basic Call of the California Towhee
The most common vocalization of the California towhee is a loud, metallic “tow-EE” or “toe-EEE.” This is the namesake call that gives towhees their common name. It is a two-syllable sound with the first part raspy and buzzing and the second part a clear, whistled note. The calls are loud enough to be heard from a distance.
This sharp call is given by both males and females throughout the year. It is used to communicate with other towhees and establish territory. The birds will call back and forth with their mates or neighbors. They often make the call while perched high in a tree. During the breeding season, males will sing the call repeatedly to declare ownership of a territory and attract a female. So if you hear consistent towhee calls coming from the same location, chances are there is a nesting pair in the area.
Song of the California Towhee
In addition to the tow-EE call, male California towhees have a more complex breeding song. It is a mix of buzzes, chips, and trills that lasts 2-3 seconds. The song varies geographically with northern and southern birds singing different dialects. But overall the song has a hurried, accelerating quality.
Males sing this song frequently during breeding season to attract mates and communicate with competitors. The songs are often sung from prominent elevated perches like trees, fence posts, or power lines. After attracting a mate, the male will continue to sing but less frequently. This complex song lets other towhees know an individual male has claimed an area.
Other Vocalizations
California towhees make other sounds beyond their namesake call and breeding song:
– Chipping: Both males and females will make a simple “chip” or “chuck” contact call year-round. This is a single, short note used to communicate their location to a mate or others in their flock. They often give a series of these chips when foraging on the ground.
– Alarm calls: When threatened by predators like hawks or cats, towhees give a high-pitched, descending whine that sounds like “seeeeu.” They will repeat this wheezy alarm call to alert others until the danger has passed.
– Begging calls: Nestlings give loud, raspy begging calls when waiting to be fed by their parents. These sounds are easily heard near an active nest and signal that the young birds are hungry.
– Flight note: The towhee makes a single “chuck” note when it takes flight. Listen for this when the bird startles from bushes or brush.
Where to Listen for California Towhees
California towhees are found in brushy habitats across California and down into Baja Mexico. Here are some ideal places to listen for them:
– Chaparral habitats
– Oak woodlands
– Backyards with thick brush and shrubs
– Parks and open spaces with scrubby vegetation
– Canyons and brushy hillsides
Focus your listening in areas of dense undergrowth where towhees like to nest and forage. Their loud vocalizations carry well, so you often can hear them before seeing them move through the bushes. Early morning is an excellent time to listen for their territorial songs. Towhees are year-round residents, so their characteristic calls can be heard any month of the year across their range.
Identifying the Towhee by Call
The tow-EE or toe-EEE call is unique and once learned, easily distinguishable from other birds. Remember that it is crisp, loud, and metallic sounding. The towhee is the only California bird that makes a clear multi-syllabic call reminiscent of its name. However, be aware the call does sound slightly different across subspecies and geographic regions.
Other birds like spotted towhees and Abert’s towhees (in the southwest US) make similar calls. But within the range of the California towhee, it has no look-alikes vocally. Swamp sparrows have a somewhat similar call but lack the buzzing quality and are found in very different wet habitat. Become familiar with the towhee’s call first in areas where you see them regularly. Then try to pick it out at further distances by ear.
Conclusion
The rich vocabulary of sounds made by the California towhee allows birders to identify it readily in the field. From the quintessential tow-EE call to complex breeding songs and various chips and chirps, there are many audio cues signaling the presence of this large sparrow. Towhees are vocal and easily heard year-round, so anyone can tune their ears to detect them in brushy California habitats. Taking some time to listen to their sounds will allow you to gain a deeper appreciation for the vocal behavior of this charismatic bird.
Type of Call | Description | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Tow-EE | Loud, metallic buzzing 2-note call | Territory declaration, communicating with mate |
Song | Buzzes, trills, chips lasting 2-3 seconds | Attract mate, defend territory |
Chipping | Single short “chip” notes | Contact call, communicating location |
Alarm call | Descending, raspy whine | Warning of predators |
Begging call | Loud, raspy sounds | Nestlings asking for food |
Flight note | Single “chuck” when taking flight | None, involuntary call |